Origin of Species Variorum

Comparison with 1872

undergone far more metamorphic action than strata which have always remained nearer to the surface. The immense areas in some parts of the world, for instance in South America, of naked metamorphic rocks, which must have been heated under great pressure, have always seemed to me to require some special explanation; and we may perhaps believe that we see in these large areas, the many formations long anterior to the Cambrian epoch in a completely metamorphosed and denuded condition.

The several difficulties here discussed, namely— that, though we find in our geological formations many links between the many species which now exist and which formerly existed, we do not find infinitely numerous fine transitional forms closely joining them all together;— the sudden manner in which several groups of species first appear in our European formations; the almost entire absence, as at present known, of .. formations rich in fossils beneath the Cambrian strata,— are all undoubtedly of the gravest nature. We see this in the plainest manner by the fact that all the most eminent palæontologists, namely, Cuvier, Owen, Agassiz, Barrande, Falconer, E. Forbes , &c., and all our greatest geologists, as Lyell, Murchison, Sedgwick, &c., have unanimously, often vehemently, maintained the immutability of species. But ... Sir Charles Lyell now gives the support of his high authority to the opposite side; and most geologists and palæontologists are much shaken in their former belief. ↑ Those who believe that the geological record is in any degree perfect, ... will undoubtedly at once reject the theory. For my part, following out Lyell's metaphor, I look at the ..

undergone far more metamorphic action than strata which have always remained nearer to the surface. The immense areas in some parts of the world, for instance in South America, of bare metamorphic rocks, which must have been heated under great pressure, have always seemed to me to require some special explanation; and we may perhaps believe that we see in these large areas, the many formations long anterior to the Silurian epoch in a completely metamorphosed but likewise denuded condition.

The several difficulties here discussed, namely— that though we find in our geological formations many links between the .. species which now exist and have existed, we do not find infinitely numerous fine transitional forms closely joining them all together;— the sudden manner in which several whole groups of species first appeared in our European formations;— the almost entire absence, as at present known, of fossiliferous formations beneath the Silurian strata,— are all undoubtedly of the most serious nature. We see this in the ... fact that .. the most eminent palæontologists, namely Cuvier, .. Agassiz, Barrande, Pictet, Falconer, E. Forbes , &c, and all our greatest geologists, as Lyell, Murchison, Sedgwick, &C have unanimously, often vehemently, maintained the immutability of species. But I have reason to believe that one great authority, Sir Charles Lyell, from further reflection entertains grave doubts on this subject. I feel how rash it is to differ from these authorities, to whom, with others, we owe all our knowledge. Those who think the natural geological record in any degree perfect, and who do not attach much weight to the facts and arguments of other kinds given in this volume, will undoubtedly at once reject my theory. For my part, following out Lyell's metaphor, I look at the natural